Your Interview Iliana Zotou

Introduce yourself (name, company, position, country) and tell us how you got into lighting design (including education/qualifications).

Hi, I’m Iliana Zotou. I’m a Senior Lighting Designer and Team Lead at Nulty, based in Dubai. I’m originally from Greece, and I have a background in interior architecture and hospitality.

I first discovered lighting during my BA in Interior Architecture at AKTO in Athens. A professor made a brief mention of architectural lighting, and something about it instantly drew me in. That moment led me to incorporate lighting into my thesis, it was the first time I really explored how light shapes perception, mood, and emotion in space. What truly fascinated me was the psychological impact of light, how it influences behaviour, wellbeing, and emotion, often without people even realising it. The fact that lighting is so powerful, yet so invisible to most, is what pulled me deeper into the field.

After graduating, I moved to London specifically to pursue a Master’s in Light and Lighting at UCL. That program allowed me to explore both the technical and emotional aspects of lighting design. During my studies and while working part-time in hospitality, I also gained a greater appreciation for how lighting affects not just guests, but also the staff working behind the scenes. I noticed how often lighting is not designed with them in mind, from glaring luminaires at reception to a lack of proper task lighting for servers and bar staff. That insight has stayed with me and continues to influence my work today.

After completing my Master’s, I spent five years working in London as a lighting designer. Then the pandemic arrived, and I decided to move back to Athens. I spent two years there, a meaningful time in many ways, especially because I had my first baby. Shortly after, we relocated to Dubai, a decision grounded in personal and professional growth. We were looking for new challenges, new opportunities, and a brighter future for our growing family. And that’s where I am today, still fascinated by the subtle power of light, and always looking for ways to design with both emotion and intention.

Tell us about your work – is there a specific type of project you like to work on or an area you specialise in and why?

I wouldn’t say I have a specific preference when it comes to project types in fact, what I enjoy most is having variety in my work. I feel very lucky that my portfolio includes hospitality, retail, heritage, residential, stadium, landscape, masterplanning, façade lighting, and even dark sky sensitive projects. Each one teaches you something different and keeps the process exciting.

My background is strongest in hospitality, but over time I’ve developed a deep appreciation for other sectors as well. For example, OUNASS was my first luxury retail project, and it blended residential elegance with the technical needs of a showroom. It was about creating a high end atmosphere that also had to adapt constantly to seasonal changes, a real design challenge.

That said, I’m not particularly drawn to purely technical projects like road lighting or code heavy evaluations. I do appreciate the knowledge that comes with those aspects, it’s important, but what truly excites me is lighting from an artistic point of view. I love the storytelling: the process of turning a concept, a narrative, or even just a feeling into a spatial lighting experience. From bold, expressive statements to subtle detailing, I enjoy designing moments that carry emotion and meaning.

So no matter the project type, if there’s room for narrative, emotion, and intention, I’m interested.

What project are you most proud of and why?

One of the projects I’m most proud of is The Chedi Hegra in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. It was my first project after moving to Dubai, and in many ways, it was a beautiful introduction to working in the Middle East, both in terms of scale and sensitivity.

Even though I didn’t work on the concept stage of the project, I was brought in for the technical development, validation, and confirmation that the lighting met Dark Sky standards. It became a deeply rewarding process, not just from a technical perspective, but also in understanding how to design responsibly within a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We had to be extremely mindful of heritage protection, ensuring that none of the installation details compromised the ancient architecture or materials. Every luminaire placement had to be studied and justified, not only for visual impact but also for environmental sensitivity and long-term preservation.

What made this project so meaningful was the combination of context, collaboration, and purpose. It was the first time I fully applied Dark Sky principles in a real-world setting, and the experience reshaped how I think about exterior lighting. Seeing the final result — the way the architecture gently glows under a sky full of stars, was a quiet but powerful reminder of how lighting can support a space without overtaking it.

That project reinforced for me that good lighting isn’t always about being seen, sometimes, it’s about what you allow to remain unseen.

What is the biggest challenge that you have overcome in your career?

One of the biggest challenges in my career was navigating significant life and professional changes all at once, becoming a parent, relocating, and stepping into a leadership role in a new region.

When I moved back to Greece during the pandemic, I had my first baby, a life-changing experience, of course, but also one that made me question how I would return to work, grow professionally, and still be present as a mother. Not long after, we made the decision to move to Dubai, a new city, new market, new pace, and that transition was both exciting and overwhelming.

Joining a new team, building trust, and establishing myself in a leadership position while adapting to a very different design culture and project scale took time and resilience. There were moments of doubt, moments where I felt I had to constantly prove myself, especially in fast-moving environments where expectations are high and roles aren’t always clearly defined.

But with time, I found my rhythm. I leaned into collaboration, stayed curious, and gave myself space to grow into this version of my career. I’m proud of how I’ve managed to stay creatively motivated while leading, learning, and supporting others, and I now see that challenge as a period of immense personal and professional growth.

How does light inspire you?

Light inspires me because of its subtle power, it can completely transform a space, shift a person’s mood, or guide behaviour, all without being consciously noticed. It’s an invisible force that shapes how we feel, how we move, and how we connect to our surroundings. That psychological impact is what initially drew me into lighting, and it continues to fascinate me every day.

I’m especially inspired by the emotional and narrative potential of light. The way it can tell a story, whether it’s through contrast, softness, rhythm, or even absence, feels very close to art. It can create moments of calm, drama, intimacy, or excitement, and sometimes it’s the smallest gesture, like a subtle glow on a textured surface, that says the most.

What also inspires me is how lighting interacts with context, how it responds to architecture, nature, culture, and people. I love how no two projects are ever the same, because the light always needs to be reinterpreted through that specific lens.

And finally, I’m inspired by the responsibility that comes with designing light. We’re not just adding beauty or functionality, we’re shaping environments that affect human wellbeing, energy, safety, and the natural world. That balance between emotion, precision, and purpose is what makes lighting such a meaningful practice for me.

What is your message for other Women In Lighting?

First, trust your journey. Every experience adds value to your perspective as a designer.

Second, support each other. The more we uplift one another, share knowledge, and advocate for inclusive, thoughtful design, the stronger our collective voice becomes.

And finally, keep your love for light alive. Never lose sight of the beauty and meaning that brought you here in the first place.